warner



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Patented June 28, 1887.

' IIWHNTOR: J68.

ATTORNEYS.

rt-Prrzns, Plwto-Lill'mmphar, walhin mn. D. C.

5 Sheets-Sheet'2f .(No Model.) .I I v I P. A. WARNER.

EXTENSION FIRE LADDER. No. 365,556; Patented June 28, 1887.

WITNESSES INVENTOR:

% z- JaAMI w v ATTORNEYS.

5 Sheets-SheetS.

(No Model.)

P. A. WARNER.

EXTENSION EIEE LADDER.

No. 365,556. Patented June 2, 1887.

WITNESSES: I INVENTOR:

5 0 5% MWM W I g ATTOR EYS.

PETERS. Pholo-Lflhognpher. Waxhinginn. at;

P. A. WARNER. EXTENSION FIRE LADDER.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

Patented June 28, 1887.

.[NVENTOR J WA/011D Jam ATTORNEYS.

N. Pmns, mum-5mm, Wilhinginn. u. c-

(No Model.)

F. A. WARNER.

EXTENSION FIRE LADDER.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

No. 365,556; Patented June 28, 1887.

ar-Ev a n I E'VENTOR i ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK ALEXANDER WARNER, OF HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.

EXTENSION FIRE-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 365,556, dated June 28, 1887.

Application filed November 20, 1886. Serial No. 219,465. (1\'o model.)

a new andlmproved Extension Fire-Ladder,

of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. J

The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved fire-ladder capable of being quickly moved about, raised, and set "130 any angle in a narrow or wide street, and provided with means for leveling the front truckcarrying the ladder.

The invention consists of the construction and arrangement of parts and details and combinations of the same, as will be fully described hereinafter, and then pointed outin the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improvement, showing the ladder closed and at rest on the truck. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the front part of the same. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same, with the ladder-carriage swung at an angle to the ladder-truck. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the truck standing on uneven ground. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the truck.

Fig. 6 is asectional side elevation of the means for leveling the front truck, the section being taken on the line z z of Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a sectional side elevation of the rear part of the truck and the extension-ladder on the line as m of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section of part of my improvement on the line y y of. Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the device for locking the carriage to the front part of the truck; and Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views of the invention.

The ladder-carriage A consists of the front truck, B, the rear truck, 0, and the truckframe D, pivotedon the front and rear trucks, B and 0, and turning on fifth-wheels on the same in the usual manner.

On the king-bolt B of the front truck, B, is pivoted the ladder-supporting frame-E, which rests on acircular bed, D", on the truck-frame D. In suitable bearings above the center of the truck B on the frame E is mounted a shaft, F, on which is fulcrumed the lower end of the or Wire ropes H each running in a grooveformed in the respective side beam, H,'and passing through an aperture formed in the side beam, G, of the ladder G, and each passing over a grooved pulley or sheave, G", secured to the outside of the side beams, G, near its upper end, and the ropes, after passing through a number of eyes, G on the beams G, pass over pulleys or sheaves G", and to a windlass-drum, J, on which the ropes are wound. The windlass J is mounted in suitable bearings on the standards E, erected on the frame E, and is provided with a partition, J, so that the ropes H wind independently of each other upon the said drum without coming in contact. The windlass is operated by the usual crank-arms, J and the ratchet-wheel J and pawl Jserve to lock the windlass in any desired position.

To the lower end of each of the beams I of the ladder I is secured a rope, I, which runs in agroove formed in the outer edge of the said beams I, and then passes through an aperture in the upper end of the beam H and to o and over a pulley or sheave, H secured near the said aperture to the outside of the upper end of the beam H.

is secured to the same in any suitable manner.

The ladders G, H, and I are provided with the usual rungs secured to the respective side beams.

The shaft F is provided on each side of the ladder-beams G with a pulley, F, over which passes an endless belt or chain, F", which also passes over a pulley, F attached to a shaft,

F, mounted in suitable bearings secured to the ladder G and carrying on each end a pinion, F which meshes into a toothed segment, F, having its center in the shaft F and secured by one end to the horizontal part of the ladder-frame E, and by its other end to one of the standards E, carrying the windlass J. Additional braces attached to the frame E assist in supporting the segments F.

Alongside of each pulley F is secured on The rope I leads from the pulley or sheave H to the sheave G and the shaft F a pinion, K, meshing into an intermediate gear-wheel, K, journaled on the bracket E and meshing into the pinion K attached to the cross-shaft K, mounted in suitable hearings on the saidibrackets E and car rying on each end, outside of the said brackets E, a crank-arm, K. The shaft F extends beyond its bearings on the frame E, and is provided on each end with a ratchet-wheel, K which engages a pawl, K, pivoted on the bearings. I

On the inner end of the ladder-frame E is pivoted a T-arm, E, capable of being swung into a horizontal position and locked therein by a spring-catch, E, secured to the hinged arm E and engaging a hook, E, attached to the segment F. The T-arm Eis held in a vertical position by the same sprin g-eatch, E, engaging a shoulder, E formed on the arm E", attached to one side beam of the frame E. The lower end of the T-arm E carries a wheel or caster, E, which rests and travels on the ground when the frame E is swung sidewise, as shown in Fig. 3, and thus supports the outer end of the said frame.

The truck-frame D is made in two parts, D and D", pivoted together at D ,'so as to permit of leveling the front part, D, when the trucks D and 0 stand on uneven ground, as shown in Fig. 4.

The device for setting the front part, D, earrying the extension-ladder, level consists of a nut, N, (see Figs. 5 and 6,) pivoted in bearings N, secured to the cross-beam D* at the inner end of the part D, and of the screw N screwing in the said nut N, and held in the swivel N, pivoted on the bearing secured to the crossbar D at the inner end of the truckframe part D The lower end of the screw N 2 is provided with a crank-arm, N, by which the said screw N 2 is turned.

The part D of the truck-frame D is provided with a number of rests or supports, D, on which the ladder G rests when not in use, and the rests D are so constructed that the ladder G is slightly inclined upward toward the rear end, as shown in Fig. l. A number of rollers, D are also arranged crosswise on the said rests D, and serve to support the hooks and ladders or other appliances. On the rear end of the part D is secured a box or casing, D, in which are placed the tools or other appliances used in connection with the extension-ladder, and for other purposes. The truek-frame D also supports the side boards, D arranged on each side of the frame D, and supporting the firemen when going to a fire.

The truck-frame E can be locked inposition on the front truck, B, by a bolt, 0, held in a keeper, 0, secured to a beam of the truckframe D, the said bolt 0 engaging an aperture, B on one of the truck-beams B, as shown in Fig. 9.

The device for steering the machine consists of two cables or chains, P and P, fastened near the outer ends of the cross-beam Oof the rear truck, 0, (see Fig. 5,) and then crossed and passed through eyes or sheaves P, secured to the under side of the side beams of the truck-frame D,and, running along the said side beams, are guided in eyes P, and both ropes P and P are passed to and wound upon a vertical drum, P, mounted to rotate in a suitable bracket, P, attached to the front end of one of the side beams of the frame D. The drum P is provided on its upper end with a square aperture, into which fits a correspondingly-shaped steering-shaft, P, which passes through a keeper, P, secured to the platform E on the front part of the ladder-frame E. The keeper P is so arranged that when the machine is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, then the steering shaft P passing through the said keeper P, enters the square aperture in the drum P and the latter can be operated by turning the hand-wheel P, secured to the upper end of the steering-shaft P The latter is also provided with a projeeting arm or lug, Pflwhich can be locked by a hook, P, hinged on the platform-E.

The brake mechanism consists of the usual brake-shoes, Q, acting on the wheels 0 of the rear truck, 0, and are attached to the brakebeam Q, hung on the usual rods, Q, secured to the rear truck, 0. The brake-beam Q (see Fig. 7) is connected by the rod Q with the vertical lever Q, fulerumed on the truck-axle O, and having a rod or rope, Q attached to its upper end, which rod or rope Q leads to the front end of the truck-frame D, and is provided on its front end with a loop, Q, which engages with the hook end B of the foot-lever R, pivoted in the middle ofthe platform E of the ladder-frame E. The rod or rope Q can be easily attached to or detached from the hook R; but when the machine is running the foot-lever R and the said rope Q are connected with each other, and the brake Q can be applied by pressing on the inner end of no the said foot-lever R. \Vhen the truck is atrest and the ladder-frame E is to be turned, then the rope or rod Q is disengaged from the hook end B of the foot-lever R; but the brake can be then held applied by the screw-rod S, screwing in a nut, S, secured to the crossbeam D of the frame D, near the leveling device, the said screwrod '8 being connected by the rod or rope S with the rod or rope Q as shown in Fig. 5. The front truck, B, is provided with the usual tongue and connections for moving the machine.

The operation is as follows: The machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is ready to be run to a fire, the extension-ladder resting on the supports D of the truck-frame D. The rod or rope Q is engaged by the foot-lever B, so that the operator, standing on the platform E, can operate the brake mechanism, while another operator can apply the steering mechanism by turning the hand-wheel P, which causes the drum P to wind up one of the ropes, P or P, which pulls on the cross-bar G of the truck 0, and thereby turns or steers the latter. The

drum 1?, so that theladder-frame E is free to revolve'onits king-bolt B. The truck B is then leveled when standing on uneven ground, as shown in Fig. 4,- by turning the crank-arm N, so that the screw N causes the part D of the truck-frame D to swing up or down, the

axle of the truck B being the fulcrum. The

ladders G, H, and I are then preferably swung into a vertical position by turning the crankarms K, which ,cause the shaft F to revolve,

whereby a similar motion is transmitted by means of the pulleys F and F and the endless ropes F to the shaft F, so that the pinions F engaging the segments F", travel up on the same'and thus raise (as the shaft Fis mounted on the ladder'G) the ladder from the rests D to any desired angle. he frame E is then turned on the king-bolt B to any desired poposition.

sition, after which the T-arm E is swung downward, so as to support the outerend of the ladder-frame E, as shown in Fig. 3. The ladders H and I are then raised by turning the crank-arms J so that thewindlass J winds up the ropes H", whereby the ladder H slides upward in its guides in the ladder G, and this upward motion of the ladder H causesa pull on the ropes I which causes the ladder I to slide upward in its guides in the ladder H. As soon as the desired height is reached, the extended ladders are swung sidewise to any desired angle by turning the crank-arm K in an opposite direction until the upper end of the ladder Ileans against the building. The pawls K, engaging the ratchet-wheels K thenhold the extension-ladder in any angular position, and the pawls J engaging the ratchet-wheels J hold the extended ladders H and I in alocked The ladders H and I are closed and caused to telescope downward by disengaging the pawl J from its ratchet-wheel J so that the weight of the ladders H and I is sufficient to telescope the same, and the ropes H are unwound from the Windlass J. The ladder-frame E is then swung to its normal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the ladder is lowered upon the rests D" by disengaging the pawls K from the ratchet-wheels K and turning the crank-arm K so that the pinions F travel downward on the toothed segments F until the ladder G is supported by the rests D, as shown in Fig. 1. The brakerope O can then be again connected with the foot-lever R, and the steering-shaft P is again inserted into the drum P so as to enable the operator to steer the machine.

Having thus fully described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In an extension-ladder, the. frame E, the shaft F, supported by the said frame E, means for revolving the said shaft, the pulleys F, se-

cured to the said shaft F, and the toothed segments F supported on the said frame E, in combination with the ladder G, fulcrunied on the said shaft F, the shaft F, mounted on the said ladder G, the pinions F secured on the said shaft F and engaging the said toothed segments F, the pulleys F fastened on the said shaft F, and endless belts F passing over the said pulleys F and F, substantially as shown and described.

2. In an extension-ladder, the frame E, the shaft F, supported bythe said frame E, means for revolving the said shaft F, the pulleys F, mounted on the said shaft F, the ratchet-wheels K attached to the outer ends of the said shaft and engaging the pawls K and the toothed segments F supported on the said frame E, in combination with the ladder G, fulcrumed on the said shaft F, the shaft F, mounted on the said ladder G, the pinions F secured on the said shaft F and engaging the said toothed segments F, the pulleys F attached to the said'shaft F, and the endless belts F passing over the said pulleys F and F, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an extensionladder, the frame E and the Windlass J, having a partition and mounted on the said frame E, the shaft F, means for revolving said shaft, the pulleys F on said shaft, and the toothed segment F, in combination with the ladder G, fulcrumed on a shaft on the said frame E, the shaft F on said ladder, the pinion F on the shaft F, the pulleys F on shaftF endless belt F encompassing said pulleys F and F, the ladder H, telescoping in the said ladder G, the ropes H, fastened on the lower end of the said ladder H, and passing over pulleys on the ladder G to the said windlass J, the ladder I, telescoping in the ladder H, and the ropes I", fastened by one end to the lower end of the said ladder I, and passing over pulleys on the ladder H, and then fastened at its other end to the ladder G, substantially as shown and described.

4. In an extension-ladder, the trucks B and G, and the truck-frame D, supported on the said trucks B and O, in combination with the ladder-frame E, swinging on the king-bolt B of the truck B, the extension-ladder held on the said frame E, the T-arm E hinged on the outer end of the said frame E and supporting the same, and means for locking thesaid hinged arm E in a vertical or horizontal position on the said frame E, substantially as shown and described.

5. In an extension-ladder, the combination, with the ladder-frame E, supporting the extension-ladder and swinging on the truck-frame D, of the T-arm E hinged on the said frame E, the wheel or caster E on the lower end of the said arm E and the spring-catch E, at-

tached to the said T-arm E", and the shouldered arm E fastened on the said frame E, and adapted to engage the said spring-catch E, so as to hold the said T-arm E in a vertical position, substantially as shown and described.

6. In an extension-ladder, the combination, with the trucks B and C, of the truck frame D, made in two parts, D and D, hinged together at D and means for leveling the front part, D, of the said truck-frame D, carrying the frameE, supporting the extensionladder, substantially as shown and described.

7. In an extension-ladder, the combination, with the trucks B and O, of the truck-frame D, made in two parts, D and D pivoted together at D, and the screw N", held on the part D", and engaging a'nut secured on the part D, substantially as shown and described.

8. In an extension-ladder, the front truck, B, the truck-frame part D, mounted on the said truck B, and the swiveled nut N, held on the said part D, in combination with the rear truck, 0, the truck'frame part D supported on the said rear truck, 0, and pivoted to the part D at D, and the screw N, swiveled on the said part D, and engaging the said nut N, substantially as shown and described.

9. I11 an extensi0n-ladder, the ladder-carriage A and the frame E, supporting the extension-ladder, in combination with the brake mechanism acting on the rear truck of the said ladder-carriage, a rope or rod connected with a lever operating the said brake mechanism and having a loop on its front end, and a foot-lever, R, pivoted on the said frame E, and provided with a hook engaging the said loop of the rope or chain, substantially as shown and described.

10. In an extension-ladder, the combination,

with the brake mechanism, of a lever connected with the said brake mechanism, a rod or rope, 63*", connected with the said lover, a rod or link, S, connected with the said rod or rope Q", and a screw, S, connected with the said link S", and serving to act on the rod or rope Q when its foot-lever R is disengaged, substantially as shown and described.

11. In an extension-ladder, the trucks B and G, the truck-frame D, supported on the said trucks B and C, the frame E, swiveled on the king-bolt B of the truck B, and supported by the said truck-frame D, and the ladder G, supporting the ladders H and I, in combination with the ropes P and P, secured by one end to a cross-beam of the truck 0, and running under the side beams of the truck-frame D after being crossed, the drum P, mounted on the front end of the said trnck-frame D, and on which the said ropes P and P are wound, and the steering-shaft P engaging the said drum P and adapted to turn the same from the frame, substantially as shown and described.

12. In an extension -1adder, the steeringdrum P carrying the ropes P' and P, acting on the rear truck, G, and the steering-shaft P engaging the said drum P and having a projecting arm, P", in combination with the locking-arm P", engaging the said projecting arm P", so as to prevent the steering-shaft P from being turned, and holding the rear truck, 0, in a straight position in relation to the truckframe D, substantially as shown and described.

FREDERICK ALEXANDER WARNER.

Witnesses:

PETER S. SMITH, EDWARD G. WARNER. 

